Lauderhill Hopes Kidsource Boosts Universal Plaza

April 10, 1994|By HENRY FITZGERALD JR. Staff Writer

LAUDERHILL — Universal Plaza has been on a steady decline since its anchor store moved out four years ago.

But city officials hope the center, now with a new management company and a new anchor called KidSource coming in, will bring jobs, businesses and economic prosperity back to the southwest corner of Commercial Boulevard and University Drive.

"When this center is renovated, I can see a natural evolution of successful businesses returning," said Jackie Gonzalez, Lauderhill's economic development director. "This is prime commercial real estate centrally located in [Broward) county. This has been long overdue."

KidSource, a new Boca Raton-based superstore chain catering to children, will offer toys, clothing, haircuts and videos at the Lauderhill store, the company's first. A second store is planned for Altamonte Springs, an Orlando suburb.

The plaza's new management company, Miami-based Terranova Corporation, took over the center in October. With the addition of KidSource, Terranova officials plan to start renovating the 236,000-square-foot center this summer.

"We hope it fills up and becomes the center of the community," said Stephen Bittel, Terranova Corporation president. "Getting a new anchor is like a heart patient getting a new heart. Now we have to start rehabilitation and get businesses in there.

KidSource expects to employ 60 to 70 jobs at the Lauderhill store, and Gonzalez said a completely renovated center will bring other businesses and more jobs, which will help offset the city's 6 percent unemployment rate.

"Jobs translate into good things for the city," Gonzalez said. "And businesses bring in tax dollars. This center has the potential to bring in people from Tamarac, Plantation, Coral Springs, and Sunrise. We think it will be a big benefit for the city."

The center, which lost Albertson's four years ago, languished as other, smaller businesses also left. There are only two anchors left, Modernage and Eckerd Drugs. Big Foot's Video Arcade and Ice Cream, Subway, and Radio Shack also have stores in the center.

Both the Lauderhill and Altamonte Springs stores are expected to open in May.

"We chose the [Lauderhill) site because there is a large number of families with children under 12 in the area," said Roy Cohen, KidSource founder. "Our targeted customers are very close to the store and we think a store like this is needed."